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On Thursday more than 850 local, state and national organizations, led by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and the Council of Administrators of Special Education, released a joint commitment to support federal special education law, and to oppose any move that separates services for students with disabilities from the U.S. Department of Education. The coalition, which includes the Association for School Business Officials International, emphasizes that the Education Department must remain independent, fully staffed, and adequately funded, and that the federal government plays a crucial role in special education through funding, policy, and enforcement. To guide policy and advocacy, the groups released seven principles affirming the importance of public education, family–school partnerships, federal oversight, adequate funding, and maintaining students’ rights to a Free Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment. In 2023, the last year for which federal data is available, about 8.4m infants, toddlers, children and young adults with disabilities qualified for IDEA services.

 

K-12 Dive

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As the workforce and student needs evolve, how can schools ensure students are future-ready? Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strategic solution. Our comprehensive free guide empowers school leaders with practical tools—from student interest surveys to employment landscape checklists—to strengthen CTE offerings and equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindsets needed for future success.

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California's investment in TK-12 education has reached unprecedented levels, with funding exceeding $114bn annually. However, this could change in 2030 when a temporary tax on the wealthiest Californians is set to expire, potentially resulting in a $2bn-$5bn reduction in state funding for school districts and community colleges. The California Teachers Association (CTA) is actively campaigning to make this tax permanent by proposing The California Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2026 for the November 2026 ballot. CTA President David Goldberg said: "People have shown us time and time again that they know that investing in our students, our communities, and educators is one of the best investments we can make as a state." The initiative aims to prevent devastating cuts to essential services and maintain funding for education and healthcare.

 

EdSource

The Boston School Committee is scheduled to vote on December 17 regarding a proposal to close three schools, including two small high schools in Dorchester and Hyde Park. Educators from the affected schools have voiced concerns, emphasizing that their environments provide essential support for students of color and those with high needs. Teacher Meghan Desmond said: "We don't know what to tell our students. Our students don't know what is happening to them next." Superintendent Mary Skipper highlighted the importance of providing better educational experiences, adding: "We are talking about children and families, staff and school communities. The goal is to get our students into better experiences, ones that will fulfill our commitment to them. Not just the students that are in the seats today, the students who are to come up through the BPS.” The proposal is part of a broader plan to close nearly twenty schools by 2030, driven by a significant decrease in student population and the need for more efficient resource allocation.

 

Boston Globe

The Des Moines School Board has unanimously accepted the resignation of chief academic officer Robert Lundin, effective June 30, 2026. Lundin has been on paid administrative leave since October 6, but district officials have not disclosed the reasons for his leave. The board's decision, made during a special meeting on November 18, followed two closed sessions and passed with a 5-0 vote. Lundin's base salary was $195,000, and he was hired in June 2024 to develop educational goals and foster partnerships with higher education institutions. This marks the second high-profile resignation in the district this year, following the administrative leave of then-Superintendent Ian Roberts after his arrest in September.

 

Des Moines Register

The School District of Philadelphia is currently engaged in a process to close, colocate, and renovate schools, with a focus on gathering public feedback. Superintendent Tony Watlington announced a delay in releasing a draft plan to allow for more community responses through a newly launched survey. Deputy Superintendent of Operations Oz Hill emphasized the need to efficiently utilize resources to enhance educational quality, adding: "This process seeks to more efficiently use our limited staff and facility resources to improve and enhance the quality of education for our students." Despite previous engagement efforts, many community members feel the process lacks clarity and urgency. District spokesperson Alex Coppadge acknowledged the need for school-level engagement, promising a thoughtful and meaningful approach to community involvement once individual school plans are released.

 

Chalkbeat

Career and technical education (CTE) programs are increasingly centered on technology, particularly digital tech, IT, AI, and cybersecurity. A recent EdWeek survey found that 28% of schools launched such programs in the last five years. Michael Connet from the Association for Career and Technical Education noted that the pandemic spurred ed tech adoption, saying: “Now that we're back in person… ed tech has stayed with them.” Alongside tech, construction and hospitality remain key CTE tracks, with even non-tech fields integrating more digital tools.

 

Education Week News

According to a recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, nearly 60% of parents of elementary and middle school students believe that training teachers to identify and support students with emotional or behavioral issues would enhance school safety. In contrast, only 35% of parents view onsite police officers as effective, and just 28% support active shooter drills. Sarah Clark, Co-Director of the Mott Poll, said: "Many people equate school safety with preventing tragic shootings," emphasizing that parents see safety as encompassing broader issues such as bullying and emotional distress. The survey also revealed that parents prioritize strategies like increasing school counselors and establishing confidential reporting systems to address students' emotional needs. Clark noted that with proper training, teachers could intervene early to assist students in distress before issues escalate.

 

U.S. News

The debate surrounding extra credit in education continues to be contentious, with educators divided on its effectiveness and fairness. A report by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute revealed that about half of surveyed teachers indicated their districts had adopted at least one of five equitable grading policies, including no zeroes and unlimited retakes. However, only 2% reported that all five policies were in place. In an informal LinkedIn poll, 39% of respondents supported extra credit opportunities, while 34% opposed them. Some educators argue that extra credit can motivate students and personalize learning, while others believe it can perpetuate inequities among students with varying resources.

 

Education Week News

In response to budget hearings held by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in September and October, educators, families, and stakeholders have voiced their top priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Reliable transportation funding and a $350m increase in K-12 education funding emerged as the primary concerns, with a total of 938 budget requests submitted—up from 826 last year. Eileen Turanchik, ISBE budget director, noted: "Districts emphasized rising transportation costs, ongoing driver shortages, and challenges maintaining safe and reliable fleets." Additionally, requests for increased funding for career and technical education were highlighted. Illinois State Superintendent Tony Sanders is expected to present a budget plan for fiscal year 2027 at the January board meeting, which will then be forwarded to Gov. JB Pritzker for inclusion in the state budget proposal. The current funding trajectory suggests that full funding for public schools may not be achieved until 2034.

 

Chalkbeat

The Milwaukee School Board has granted Carmen Northwest Middle and High School a one-year extension, allowing the charter school to remain operational until June 30, 2027. This decision comes as the school, which has faced criticism for underperformance, seeks to find a new authorizer and building. MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius emphasized the need for time, commenting: "Students and families need to have the time to be able to get prepared for what comes next." Despite the reprieve, concerns remain regarding the school's academic performance, as it has fallen short in several key areas compared to district averages.

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Following January 2025 immigration raids in California’s Central Valley, student absences rose 22%, totaling 81,000 missed school days among 113,000 children across five districts. Stanford professor Thomas Dee attributed the spike to fear and trauma: “Aggressive interior immigration enforcement drives families with school-age children away.” The broader climate of increased enforcement under the new administration, including raids at schools and daycares, has sparked lawsuits and national concern. Experts warn the psychological toll disrupts learning, especially for younger children in immigrant households, who are left feeling unsafe and anxious.

 

The 74 (Online)

The Trump administration has initiated a federal lawsuit against California, challenging the state's provision of in-state tuition benefits for undocumented immigrant students. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of California, targets the California Dream Act and Assembly Bill 540, which allows undocumented students who graduate from California high schools to access in-state tuition rates. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated: "California is illegally discriminating against American students and families by offering exclusive tuition benefits for non-citizens." The suit also seeks to end provisions that permit undocumented students to apply for state-funded financial aid. Approximately 80,000 undocumented college students reside in California, with the majority attending community colleges. The administration's legal action follows similar lawsuits against other states, asserting that California's practices violate a 1996 federal law regarding educational benefits for non-citizens.

 

Los Angeles Times

Armed men have abducted an unconfirmed number of pupils from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger state, during a pre-dawn raid, marking the second school kidnapping in Nigeria within a week. Authorities had previously ordered the closure of boarding schools in the area due to security threats. Nigeria has faced a renewed wave of attacks by armed groups in recent days, including the kidnapping on Monday of 25 schoolgirls from a boarding school in nearby Kebbi state. It was not immediately clear who is responsible for the latest incidents. More than a decade ago, the Boko Haram insurgency was behind the mass abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls, an attack that drew international attention to the extremist group.

 

ABC News

BBC News

Denver Public Schools (DPS) will introduce an innovative education program founded by rapper Andre “Dr. Dre” Young and record executive Jimmy Iovine in the fall of 2026. The Iovine and Young Center for Innovation will be established at Manual High School and Denver School of the Arts, offering classes that integrate design, technology, business, and the arts. Superintendent Alex Marrero stated: “This partnership welcomes our students into a whole new world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and future-ready learning.” The program aims to empower students, particularly from underrepresented communities, to “think differently, dream bigger, and lead the next wave of innovation,” according to Iovine. Funding for the initiative will be sourced through philanthropy, with the Denver Public Schools Foundation leading the fundraising efforts.

 

Chalkbeat